World travelling soccer coach finds home by the Tasmanian seaside.
Englishman Harry Rickus discovered soccer early in life – and he’s been kicking international career goals ever since.
As a young boy growing up in Birmingham England, Harry Rickus has been kicking a soccer ball for as long as he can remember. It would be his passion for coaching the sport, however, that would see him settle in a seaside Tasmanian hamlet. It’s far from his UK city upbringing, playing for various non-league football clubs across the West Midlands region.
“I was about 17 when a suffered a knee injury from competitive play. At the time I was studying Teaching, Coaching and Instruction in Football, and came to see it as a great avenue for travel and exploring my love of coaching. My father was in the navy and without my realising, that desire to travel was also deep within me,” explains Harry.
Through study, Harry acquired his FA Level 1 & 2 coaching accreditation and took off for America on a three-month Challenger Sports position where his coaching confidence grew as he hopped between various summer camps. Back in England he completed a Bachelor of Science degree (Physical Education and Sports Coaching) through the University of Worcester while working closely with clubs across their elite player development programs.
The travel bug hit once more and Harry found himself on a one year working holiday visa in Australia. Following a flight into Melbourne, he bumped into a fellow compatriot, Joanna from Manchester. She would later become his wife. They backpacked, worked on farms together and spent a year in New Zealand where Harry took on a coaching role at St Patricks College and the Wellington FC Academy National Youth League team.
My wife is a primary school teacher and we were thrilled when Tasmania sponsored us. We came for a visit and fell in love with the place. Even though we’re both from big cities back in England, we realised we’re not suited to the hustle and bustle. We enjoy the outdoors and absolutely love our place in Snug, just outside Hobart. We get up and just meters from home we can step onto the beach for walks with our cocker spaniel puppy.
Harry accepted a coaching role with the South Hobart Football Club in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. He works in combination with the Morton Soccer School and the club full time, covering everything from rosters and coaching to resources and athlete development.
Founded in 1910, the South Hobart Football Club is one of Australia’s oldest football clubs. It is one of the biggest he has ever worked with – players ranging from five years old through to open men’s and women’s teams. Across the entire club, there are some 22 teams in the junior space and a further six teams in the senior and championship fold. As the largest participation sport in Tasmania, this club exemplifies the community spirit and comradery of team sport involvement.
“Yes, we want them to develop as players but it’s not just about being good football players but being good people. We work hard to instil integrity, good sportsmanship, leadership qualities and encourage the social aspect, too. It’s wonderful to see kids get together that mostly don’t go to the same school – cooking up pasta the night before a match. For the parents, it’s a real community atmosphere as well. Sure, some drop their kids and go but many have taken on coaching roles, travelled to State Cups together and the like. There’s a real sense of family – everyone is there for each other. This year we’ve had more registrations than ever in the club’s history. Numbers in the hundreds.”
Harry leads a busy life between his weekday coaching commitments and Saturday matches, getting home from the field after 8.45pm most nights. He blends this with his role at Taroona High School, teaching the Athlete Development Program, specific to soccer and how to engage with the sport through playing, coaching, administration and more. But, he says he wouldn’t change a thing about his Tasmanian life.
“We’ve been looked after from the day we arrived. In fact, one of the players provided us accommodation in their pool house when we landed here. We’ve just soaked up every bit of the culture – we bought ourselves walking boots to hit the trails, we got ourselves a barbie and we hit the beach. I think embracing the way of life has allowed us to meet so many wonderful people and get the very most out of life here. After living out of suitcases for years including a three-month stint in hostels, it sure is nice to have a place to call home.”
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Find out more about the South Hobart Football Club and Morton Soccer School.
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